Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has affirmed the government's commitment to revitalise football in the Maldives, adding that the government will continue to support the efforts exerted to promote football. He made the remarks during the closing ceremony of the Milo Academy Championship 2024 for the Under-14 age group.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President emphasised the government’s active collaboration with authorities to address concerns about law and order in Maldivian football. Highlighting the importance of talent and skill development, the vice president praised events like the Milo Academy Championship for showcasing emerging players with diverse skills. He encouraged all young participants to aim for national-level competition, framing football as a unifying force that embodies the spirit of the nation.
Furthermore, Vice President expressed appreciation for the efforts of football academies and the families dedicated to supporting young athletes. He reassured attendees that the government is prepared to back these initiatives as well. As such, he noted that his presence at the ceremony, which coincided with national celebrations such as Victory Day, reinforced the significance the government places on sports—particularly football—as a catalyst for unity and national pride.
During the ceremony, Vice President reviewed the final match of the Championship, which saw SUS Academy Maldives emerging victorious against runners-up team, Adventures Football Academy. Additionally, Commissioner of Sports Mohamed Thalaal and the Chairman of the Normalisation Committee of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) Ahmed Zuhoor attended the ceremony, and reviewed the final match.
At the ceremony, Vice President signed the championship ball and awarded medals, mementos, and prizes to standout players, including the player of the match and the teams that finished second. The Championship saw the participation of several academies, with seven from atolls. A total of 515 foot players participated in the games.